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Among cuts, Hagadone to work on consistency

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Nick Hagadone had a 2.57 ERA in six Cactus League appearances.

By Jordan Bastian
/
MLB.com |

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Indians manager Terry Francona believes that left-hander Nick Hagadone can still be a big part of the bullpen. Hagadone will just have to wait a little longer for his next opportunity in the big leagues.

On Monday, Hagadone was part of a handful of roster reductions in Cleveland's camp, removing the lefty from the bullpen competition. Hagadone and fellow left-hander Scott Barnes were optioned to Triple-A Columbus, while non-roster pitchers Travis Banwart, Tyler Cloyd, J.C. Ramirez and Mike Zagurski were all re-assigned to Minor League camp.

Francona felt the 28-year-old Hagadone had an up-and-down showing this spring.

"Some, really good. Some inconsistencies," Francona said. "I think the biggest thing we're trying to get Nick to do is make adjustments quicker. I think the thing he showed this camp is, if he came in and he had a walk, then he'd go back out and have a good inning. Now, we're trying to get to, 'OK, if you throw ball one up, let's reel it in right now,' as opposed to after one hitter.

"The biggest thing -- and it's hard, because when you send a guy down, that's not the best day for them to listen, and we totally understand that -- but it's just trying to, when the phone rings, we told him, 'Whether it's seven in the morning or seven at night, be ready to come in and compete. And enjoy when that phone rings, being ready.' That's probably the biggest thing we could tell him. And we will continue to follow up with him, because we need him in the Major Leagues helping us win."

In six Cactus League appearances this spring, Hagadone had a 2.57 ERA with six strikeouts, three walks and a .160 opponents' batting average in seven innings. Last season, the lefty posted a 5.46 ERA in 31 1/3 innings (30 strikeouts against 21 walks) in the Majors with Cleveland. Hagadone had a 2.51 ERA in 27 outings at Triple-A in 2013.

Ramirez was re-assigned to the Minor League side, but the right-hander is expected to miss at least two months due to a fractured left thumb.

The Indians also informed infielder Ryan Rohlinger that he will be re-assigned, but the Tribe is keeping him with the big league club for now. Rohlinger can help provide depth at a handful of infield spots, while utility men Mike Aviles and Elliot Johnson garner some innings in the outfield, and while utility man Ryan Raburn is away from the Indians for the birth of his second child.

Cleveland currently has 46 players in camp with the Major League club.